Garcia and McIlroy pursue leader Leishman

Sergio Garcia was among those gunning for clubhouse leader Marc Leishman as the opening round of the Masters Tournament continued at Augusta National.

Australian Leishman began with a bogey at the year’s first Major Championship; although he was not alone in struggling at last year’s toughest hole on the course, where Lee Westwood and Charl Schwartzel ran up double bogeys.

However, a run of four straight birdies from the 13th saw the 29 year old compile a six under par 66 to take a two shot clubhouse lead from England’s David Lynn.

Spaniard Garcia turned in a four under 32 to join Lynn in second place, one ahead of compatriot Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño, Australian Jason Day and American quartet Jim Furyk, Zach Johnson, Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler.

Westwood recovered to post a two under 70, the same as compatriot Justin Rose, while 2011 winner Schwartzel also atoned for his poor start to be alongside Luke Donald on one under.

World Numbers One and Two Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy were two and one under respectively – the former had reached the 14th three under but three-putted and had just one hole remaining, whereas McIlroy dropped a first shot of the day at the seventh after two early birdies.

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